A History of Kentucky Baptists From 1769 to 1885, Including More Than 
800 Biographical Sketches, J. H. Spencer, Manuscript Revised and 
Corrected by Mrs. Burilla B. Spencer, In Two Volumes.  Printed For the 
Author.  1886.  Republished By Church History Research & Archives 1976 
Lafayette, Tennessee. Vol. 2, pages 35-36.  [Franklin County]

WILLIAM G. CRAIG was a son of William Craig, and a grandson of Toliver 
Craig, a brother of the famous Lewis and Elijah Craig, and was born in 
Scott county, Kentucky, October 10, 1803. When about three years old, he 
was so disabled in one of his legs by a severe illness, that he walked 
on crutches the remainder of his days.  He was educated at Rittenhouse 
Academy, in Georgetown, with a view to the practice of law.  While 
pursuing his literary studies he read the writings of Tom Paine and 
Voltaire, and became for a time a confirmed infidel. But the power of 
God overturned what he deemed his impregnable fortress.  During a most 
wonderful revival at Great Crossing, under the ministry of Silas M. Noel 
and Ryland T. Dillard, during which 359 were baptized into the 
fellowship of that church within one year; Mr. Craig yielded to the 
power of the Spirit and was baptized by Mr. Noel, April 20, 1828.  He 
abandoned his former purpose to practice law and gratefully gave himself 
to the service of that God who had "snatched him as a brand from the 
burning."  He was licensed to exercise his gift in July, 1836, and 
ordained by J. D. Black and John Lucas, in 1840. He was immediately 
invited to preach, one Sunday in the month, at Great Crossing church, of 
which he was a member.  This he did for about five years, giving the 
remainder of his time to neighboring churches.  He afterwards moved his 
membership to Buck Run church in Franklin county.  At that church, and 
others in the vicinity, he continued to labor in the gospel till the 
Lord took him home on the 8th day of September, 1853. 
        William G. Craig ws not a great man, in the ordinary meaning of 
that term.  His mind was sprightly and well cultivated, and his gifts, 
though scarcely above mediocrity, were used with a zeal and diligence 
that made them effective in the accomplishing of much good.  His death 
was peculiarly triumphant.  On the third day of his last brief illness 
he spoke to his family and some friends that were near his death bed to 
the following effect:  "I have come to the conclusion that the Mighty 
Architect of this machine (his body) intended it to run only fifty 
years; and as that time has nearly expired, it cannot be wound up again.  
It must stop.  It has run after a fashion - halting, defective, irregular 
- many times during a half century; but now it must stop.  But glory to 
God in the highest for the implantation of the blessed hope, that is is 
going to that brighter world, to partake of that higher nature.  When in 
the presence of God and the Lamb it run run on forever and ever.  My 
beloved wife, the companion of all my joys and sorrows, baptized 
together with me in the beautiful Elkhorn - my dear boy - my aged and 
afflicted mother - all, all must be left.  But, oh! delightful thought, 
left only for a few brief moments to be reunited forever around the 
throne of God." Referring to an absent friend, a few moments before he 
expired, he said:  "Tell him all is right.  I am going home.  All is 
well; I am not afraid to die."

Black Craig Dillard Lucas Noel Paine Voltaire
=
Georgetown-Scott-KY

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/franklin/craig.wg.txt